So does that mean, conversely, that collectivism is a creed whereby the needs and desires of society comes ahead of the individual, even at the expense of that individual? And, if so, what could be an applicable real-life example of that?

By "superseding," I meant that if you believe in atheism, nobody has the right to discriminate against you for that. It doesn't mean, however, that atheism per se can be passed off as fact...at least, not any moreso than agnosticism or the creationist religions can be.

Wouldn't you agree there is a difference between a belief system and a delusion? My paraphrasing of it:

BELIEF = this is why I believe the universe is the way it is, and we each are entitled to such beliefs as long as we don't use them to harm others

DELUSION = my belief system, as it relates to cosmology, is *THE* correct one...and everyone else must comply with that principle if they wish to be a respected/humanely-treated member of society (as I want society to be defined)

The Israeli/Palestinian conflict would be a prime example of delusion leading to abuses of power and inhumanity.